The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43286

Stephanie Barrett Shapiro, MPH, Epi Bio, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, M/C 923, Rm. 1021, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-9460, sshapi5@uic.edu

Violence has dramatically affected the youth of the United States. Lights, Camera, A.C.T.I.O.N. (Advocating Creativity to Improve Our Neighborhoods) is a two-phase health education program created to help prevent this horrific public health issue. The first phase of the program, the Educational Phase, is divided into 20 sessions that focus on gangs, conflict resolution, anger management, self-efficacy, and alternatives to violence. This phase is targeted to youth in fifth through ninth grades and their parents. The second phase, the Production Phase, is dedicated to the creation of violence prevention public service announcements and is divided into 20 sessions that focus on brainstorming, writing the script, rehearsing the script, and producing the script. This phase is strictly targeted to the youth. All aspects of the program necessary for implementation and evaluation have been descriptively documented in the Lights, Camera, A.C.T.I.O.N. Curriculum Manual. The pilot year of Lights, Camera, A.C.T.I.O.N. began August 2000 in one of Chicago’s most underserved Latino communities. Over 50 students and 25 parents participated in the program. The second phase of the program yielded four public service announcements that are currently being nationally aired. This pilot implementation was evaluated using self-administered questionnaires for both the program participants and a comparison group. Data is currently being analyzed using Epi Info.

Learning Objectives:

• at least 80% of participants will increase their positive attitudes toward anti-gang messages
• at least 80% of participants will increase their knowledge and practice of positive resolutions to intrapersonal anger and interpersonal conflict
• at least 30% of participants will be enrolled in a program that is a positive alternative to violence
• at least 30% of those who view the Lights, Camera, A.C.T.I.O.N. public service announcement will recall its content and take an action that demonstrates their understanding of its message
• at least 50% of participants and their parents or legal guardians will learn communication skills for creating dialogue about the consequences of violent behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.